South Ayrshire Council News

Pictured with school children from Troon Primary are Councillor Margaret Toner and Janice McFarlane of the National Library of Scotland (left).

The National Library of Scotland (NLS) Roadshow, at the Carnegie Library in Ayr has provided a rare insight into the work of the NLS to the people of South Ayrshire.

Between 10 and 12 September the Carnegie Library ran a number of events with the theme of ''Scotland's Secret War', that revealed hidden stories of World War II. These included:

• Meeting expert NLS staff
• Learning how to research family history
• How to access digital collections for free electronically
• Film shows
• Talks
• How to register a library ticket and gain access to a collectionof over 14 million items
• Guest speakers
• Workshops for groups of P5 and P7 children.

Amongst the many visitors to the Roadshow was Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of the Council, and Portfolio Carrier for Community Services. Commenting on the exhibition Councillor Toner said: "The National Library of Scotland very rarely hold Roadshows in local authority libraries, it is is a great compliment to our library service that they chose to come to Ayr.

"I would like to thank the National Library of Scotland and Council library staff who all worked together to make sure that the event was a great success. Special displays will remain in Carnegie Library in Ayr during the month of September and I would encourage people to go and have a look at them, you will not be disappointed."

The National Library of Scotland, located at George IV Bridge in Edinburgh, has a wealth of rare books; manuscripts; maps; official publications; business information; science and technology; music; foreign collections; newspapers and journals; films and moving images and much more. Anyone can visit the national library and the facilities are FREE.